Week 7 (Days 43-49)

If the male babies aren't completely out of the nest at this point, now is the time to remove them. Many male babies are sexually mature and ready and willing to impregnate mom. Adolescent males will sometimes display overt dominance behaviors with siblings, but this is usually nothing to be concerned about. Female babies may either remain with mom, or go into a separate cage. If the females stay with mom, watch your food levels, since the babies may begin to hog the food causing mom to lose weight and suffer malnutrition. Watch the mother for signs of postpartum depression.